EDUQAS GCE SOCIOLOGY Linear A level preparation Delivered

EDUQAS GCE SOCIOLOGY Linear A level preparation. Delivered by Janis Griffiths

This is the material from the specification. It offers guidance as to what can be expected. You may also wish to look at the specifications. See the website http: //www. eduqas. co. uk/q ualifications/sociology/as-alevel/ Resources are available here and on the Sociology WJEC website http: //www. wjec. co. uk/quali fications/sociology -gce-a-as/

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES Learners must: AO 1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: • Sociological theories, concepts and evidence • Sociological research methods AO 2 Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues AO 3 Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to: • Present arguments • Make judgements • Draw conclusions

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AS A level AO 1 AO 2 AO 3 Comp 1 18% 14% 8% Comp 1 35% 21% 14% Comp 2 9% 7% 4% Comp 2 15% 9% 6% Comp 3 18% 14% 8% 50% 30% 20% 45% 35% 20% Overall weighting Required weighting 35 - 45% 30 - 40% 20 - 30% Required weighting 40 - 50% 30 - 35% 20 - 25%

Components for linear A level There are three components: • Component 1 – Socialisation and Culture • Component 2 – Methods of Sociological Enquiry • Component 3 – Social Inequality Each will be considered separately. There will be opportunity for discussion.

Component 1: Socialisation and Culture (120 marks) • The theme is related to concepts and processes of socialisation, culture and identity. • There is a compulsory question on the Core theme of socialisation • There are two further questions from a choice of options in Section B and also Section C of the examination paper. • The examination will last 2 ½ hours, • Allow around 30 minutes or fewer for section A, and about an hour for each of the options.

SUBJECT CONTENT REQUIREMENTS COMPONENT 1 AS Socialisation & Identity A level Socialisation & Identity Section A Socialisation, culture & identity Key concepts & processes of cultural transmission, socialisation & acquisition of identity Section B Families & households or Youth Cultures Section C Education Or Media Or Religion

Component 2: Methods of Sociological Enquiry (60 marks) • The focus is related to sociological enquiry • All questions are compulsory. • Question 1 consists of three short parts and the focus is on AO 1 and AO 2 • Question 2 is the research brief question which involves AO 1, AO 2 and AO 3, weighted to AO 3 • There are 1 hour and 45 minutes allocated • Question 1 and 2 are both worth 30 marks. • It is probably wise to allocate more time to the question 2 because it involves the higher level skills

COMPONENT 2 AS Methods of Sociological Enquiry A level Methods of Sociological Enquiry Learners will be required to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of methods and sources of data; • Demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods to a specific scenario; • Demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods; • Use examples from contemporary sociological research to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant sociological concepts and key methodological issues. • Demonstrate their ability to design, analyse and evaluate their own research design; • Use examples from contemporary sociological research to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant sociological concepts and key methodological issues.

Component 3: Social Inequality (120 marks) All questions are compulsory but there are options within them. • Section A – compulsory question related to Social Inequality • A compulsory question on providing evidence of inequality • Extended essay, choose one from two, these will probably test theoretical understanding. • Section B – optional topics (crime, health, politics and world) • A compulsory question relation to providing evidence of knowledge or explanation of a phenomenon • Extended essay, choose one from two, these will probably test theoretical understanding.

Component 3: Social Inequality (120 marks) The examination lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Observations on examination time strategy: • Allow approximately equal time between each of the two sections because they are worth the same number of marks (1 hour 15 mins) • The compulsory question in each section is worth 20 marks (25 minutes) • The extended response is worth 40 marks (50 minutes)

Subject support • You can find additional information and support, so past papers have been annotated and you can see them on online exam review http: //oer. wjec. co. uk/Pages/Project. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=61&lvl. Id=0 • You may subscribe to the secure website for further information http: //www. eduqas. co. uk/qualifications/sociology/as-a-level/ • Examination breakdown information can be seen in the ‘walled garden’. • Subscribe to the online mailing list to receive information about the qualifications that you are interested in http: //www. eduqas. co. uk/contact -us/subscribe-form. html

The Eduqas resources website A range of resources for the examination can be found on the website http: //resources. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Resource. By. Args. aspx? sub. Id=28&lvl. Id=0 The topics are covered, and there are new and old resources available including the e. Books for AS and A 2 which are still relevant. Scroll down to see the variety http: //resources. eduqas. co. uk/Pages/Resource. Single. aspx? r. Iid=352 Don’t forget that Eduqas has a vast amount of resources and support for all their examination subjects, so explore the whole website if you teach another subject area

Research Methods resource A completely new and comprehensive resource covering research methods can be accessed on http: //resources. wjec. co. uk/Pages/Resource. Single. aspx? r. Iid=762 This has a range of notes, video clips, revision materials and downloadable material which can be edited. There is a range of different resource and research discussed, including classic research and more recent research.

Hwb Digital Learning Previously existing materials from NGf. L and entirely new resources can be found on the HWB http: //hwb. wales. gov. uk/search? query=sociology Navigation can present problems, but the site is worth exploring. Look for A 2 supporting booklets and Power. Points for a range of teaching material.

Eduqas Teacher’s Guide A teacher’s guide is available and it covers all the topics on the new specifications. There is a range of features, for example, key points that will indicate key teaching points, the skills that can be developed in the topic, a short teaching activity to set the scene for learners, or to revise a topic. There are internal web links to featured sites and links to useful external sources for learners and teachers to use. http: //www. eduqas. co. uk/qualifications/sociology/as-a-level/Alevel-Sociology. Teacher-Handbook. pdf? language_id=1

Key sites supporting the specification Sociology Central – A teaching site http: //www. sociology. org. uk/ BBC 4 – Thinking Allowed podcasts on sociology http: //www. bbc. co. uk/programmes/b 006 qy 05 The Joseph Rowntree Foundation - https: //www. jrf. org. uk/ The Poverty Site - http: //www. poverty. org. uk/ The Office for National Statistics - http: //www. ons. gov. uk/ons/index. html The Economic and Research Council - http: //www. esrc. ac. uk/ Sociology Exchange – Resourcd - http: //www. resourcd. com/@sociologyexchange Youtube - video materials

Key areas of concern: Opportunity for discussion • What do delegates feel are the key challenges within their own centres? • What particular skills should centres be encouraging in their candidates? • How can teaching time be allocated to cover both skills and content?

Any Questions? Contact our specialist Subject Officers and administrative support team for your subject with any queries. Joanna Lewis Subject Officer 029 2026 5167 Email: joanna. lewis@eduqas. co. uk Eira Morgan Subject Support Officer 029 2026 5183 Email: eira. morgan@eduqas. co. uk